How to Play Pickleball: 9 Simple Rules for Beginners
Ready to dive into pickleball? You’re in good company. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in India, blending elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. This guide covers the basics to get you started and on the court in no time!
Basic Equipment Needed
To start playing, you’ll need:
- A pickleball paddle (similar to a larger ping-pong paddle)
- Pickleball balls (lightweight, perforated plastic balls)
- A pickleball court (about the size of a badminton court)
Many courts and community centers offer beginner clinics, where you can often use equipment on-site if you’re not ready to buy your own.
The Rules of Pickleball
1. Starting the Game with a Serve
The game starts with a serve. The player on the right side serves diagonally across the net. The serve can be hit either after a bounce or out of the air (a “volley serve”), but the paddle must make contact below the waist, and the motion must be underhand with an upward arc. The serve must clear the “kitchen” area without touching the kitchen line.
2. The Two-Bounce Rule
Before anyone can hit the ball out of the air, it must bounce once on each side of the court. This means:
- The serving team serves; the receiving team lets it bounce before returning.
- The serving team must then let it bounce once before returning.
After this initial exchange, players can begin volleying (hitting the ball before it bounces).
3. Rallying Continues Until a Fault Occurs
Points are won by either hitting a winning shot or when the opposing team commits a fault. Common faults include:
- The serve landing out of bounds or in the kitchen.
- The ball bouncing twice on one side.
- A player volleying the ball while in the kitchen or stepping into it.
4. No Volleying in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone near the net on each side of the court. Players can only hit the ball in the kitchen if it has bounced first. Volleys (air shots) must be hit from outside this area.
5. Points Are Won Only on Your Serve
In pickleball, you can only score points when you’re serving. If you win the point, you switch positions with your partner and continue serving until you lose the rally, at which point the serve goes to your partner.
6. Call Out the Score Before Serving
Each player calls out three numbers before serving, such as “3-2-1.” This represents:
- The score of the serving team
- The score of the receiving team
- Which player is serving (1 for first server, 2 for second server)
7. First Team to 11 Points Wins (Win by 2)
The first team to reach 11 points wins, but you must win by at least two points. If the score ties at 10-10, play continues until one team wins by two.
8. Court Positioning in Doubles
In doubles, players should start the serve from the baseline and transition up to the net (just outside the kitchen) for volleys once the two-bounce rule is fulfilled.
9. Scoring in Singles vs. Doubles
Singles pickleball is similar to doubles but involves only one player on each side. Scoring calls are simplified to two numbers: the server’s score and the receiver’s score.
Key Shots in Pickleball
Pickleball offers various shots that are useful depending on the situation:
- Drive: A strong shot from the baseline
- Drop Shot: A shot intended to land in the kitchen, making it hard for the opponent to reach.
- Dink: A soft shot aimed into the kitchen, keeping opponents from attacking.
- Lob: A high shot that forces opponents to move away from the net.
- Overhead: A powerful shot hit above the head, typically in response to a lob.
Serving Strategies for Beginners
Here are some ways to use your serve to your advantage:
- Serve Deep: A deep serve keeps your opponents further back, making it tougher for them to move into an attacking position.
- Aim for Weaknesses: Identify if your opponent has a weaker side and aim your serves there.
- Add Spin: Experimenting with spin can make your serves more unpredictable for the receiver.
Common Serving Mistakes
A fault occurs if:
- The server’s feet touch or cross the baseline.
- The serve lands in the kitchen.
- The ball fails to clear the net.
Tips for Improving Your Game
- Transition to the Kitchen: After your return, move up to the kitchen line to control the court.
- Stay Ready: Keep your paddle in front, near chest level, to react quickly.
- Focus on Control: Aim for a loose grip (3/10 tightness) for dinks and touch shots to improve control.
- Be Patient: Avoid hitting every shot with power; controlled shots often yield better results.
- Practice Regularly: Practice sessions can help develop shots that you may not get many opportunities to use in games.
Finding a Place to Play Pickleball
If you’re in Delhi and looking for a great place to play pickleball, look no further than REPPP Rackonnect Exclusive Padel Pickle Park. This exclusive facility is dedicated to pickleball enthusiasts and offers top-notch amenities for players of all skill levels.